Pastor dragged to court for running failed church with teachers’ N5m

A popular pastor in Lagos, Victor Tobore, has been charged to court for allegedly defrauding the staff of Westminster College Idimu to the tune of N5m, being the money contributed by the school staff cooperative.

The cleric allegedly used the teachers’ fund to run a failed church in Lagos.

It was gathered that the staff of the school came together to form Cooperative Thrift Pension and Welfare Society to assist themselves.

Pastor Tobore was entrusted with the money of the cooperative because of his acclaimed position as a pastor in the society.

However, the staff did not know that Pastor Tobore had another motive to defraud them.

When he was asked to present the financial records of all the money the staff had contributed and to effect some payments, Tobore was unable to do so and gave flimsy excuses.

He later told the staff members that he had spent the money for his ministry and will not be able refund the money at the point in time because the ministry failed.

The matter was reported to the police through a petition to the Area Commander, Akoka. During investigation, Pastor Tobore reportedly confessed before the police that he had no records of the money because he tore the record books in order to cover his track in the alleged fraud.

The cleric was charged before Ogba Magistrates court for conspiracy and fraud. But he pleaded not guilty.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. Peter Nwaka granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

The court also ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments before the court to stand as sureties.

The prosecutor, Mr. Christopher John did not object his being granted bail.

He was remanded in prison custody pending when he will perfect his bail condition.

The matter was further adjourned till 9 May, 2018.

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